How to collect and save grass seeds
Learn how to collect and store seed from ornamental grasses, in our guide.
Many ornamental grasses can be grown easily from seed. Increase or refresh your stock by collecting seeds in autumn, for sowing in spring. They’re simple to collect, and will germinate quickly, producing young plants that will be mature enough to flower by late next summer. Gather the seeds on a dry day, then store in labelled envelopes in a tin somewhere cool and dark, before sowing the following spring.
Discover how to collect seed from ornamental grasses, below.
You Will Need
- Envelope
- Secateurs
- Ornamental grasses
Step 1
On a dry day, use your secateurs to cut the mature seedheads with a short length of stem. Make a note of the name or type of grass.
Step 2
On an envelope, write the grass name and any characteristics you want to remember before sowing next year.
Step 3
Pick the grass heads apart, remove any chaff, then seal the cleaned seeds in the envelope. Use a new envelope for each variety.
Jan subscription offer
Get our Year Planner 2025 with a subscription to BBC Gardeners' World magazine. Get 6 issues for £14.99.
Year Planner 2025 on sale
Starting to plan your gardening year? The Year Planner 2025 is packed with expert advice from the Gardeners’ World team, to ensure you have your best gardening year yet.
Discover our NEW Travel & Events Brochure
Whether it's the vibrant beauty of Madeira's Flower Festival or the quiet luxury of a Cornish shepherd's hut, our NEW Travel & Events Brochure is your guide to unforgettable experiences.
New podcast series
Give your mental and physical health a boost, with our new Wellness podcast series from Monty and the team.